Therapeutic illumination assemblies and methods of illuminating medical devices and biological material using the same

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic illumination assembly includes a catheter and a point source treatment fiber. The catheter comprises a catheter wall encircling a luminal fluid pathway. The point source treatment fiber is positioned within the luminal fluid pathway of the catheter. Further, the point source treatment fiber comprises a plurality of light emitting point sources intermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point source treatment fiber such that the plurality of light emitting point sources irradiate the catheter when the plurality of light emitting point sources emit light.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/185,328 filed on Jun. 17, 2016, which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/290,698, filed on Feb. 3, 2016, the content of which is relied uponand incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to therapeutic illumination assemblies.More specifically, the present disclosure introduces technology fortherapeutic illumination assemblies having one or more light emittingpoint sources.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to the subject matter of the present disclosure, a therapeuticillumination assembly includes a catheter and a point source treatmentfiber. The catheter includes a catheter wall encircling a luminal fluidpathway. The point source treatment fiber is positioned within theluminal fluid pathway of the catheter. Further, the point sourcetreatment fiber includes a plurality of light emitting point sourcesintermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point sourcetreatment fiber such that the plurality of light emitting point sourcesirradiate the catheter when the plurality of light emitting pointsources emit light.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofirradiating a catheter includes inserting an internal length of acatheter into a patient. The catheter includes a catheter wallencircling a luminal fluid pathway. The catheter includes an externallength fluidly coupled to the internal length at an insertion region ofthe catheter. The method further includes inserting a point sourcetreatment fiber includes a plurality of light emitting point sourcesintermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point sourcetreatment fiber into the luminal fluid pathway of the catheter andirradiating the catheter using the plurality of light emitting pointsources.

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are described hereinwith primary reference to some specific therapeutic illuminationassembly configurations, it is contemplated that the concepts will enjoyapplicability to therapeutic illumination assemblies having anyconfiguration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction withthe following drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illuminationassembly having a catheter and a point source treatment fiber, accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illuminationassembly having a catheter and one or more light emitting point sources,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly having a catheter and one or more light emitting point sources,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illuminationassembly having a therapeutic light patch and one or more light emittingpoint sources, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly having a therapeutic light patch and one or more light emittingpoint sources, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration of a surgical device and a lightdiffusing optical fiber, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration of a surgical device and one or morelight emitting point sources, according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 6C is a schematic illustration of a surgical device and a singlelight emitting point source, according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a trocar and one or more lightemitting devices, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a cannula and one or more lightemitting devices, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 8A is a schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices positioned within one or more surgical cavities, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8B is another schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices positioned within one or more surgical cavities, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a movable surgical lamp, accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10A is a schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices coupled to a tissue housing device, according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10B is a schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices coupled to another tissue housing device, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10C is a schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices coupled to a tissue transplant housing device, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices coupled to a tissue disinfecting device, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of one or more light emittingdevices positioned within and around one or more cavities and/or lumensof an organ or tissue, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 13A is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional illustration of the therapeuticillumination assembly of FIG. 13A, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 13C is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices and a fiberhousing vessel, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 13D is a cross-sectional illustration of the therapeuticillumination assembly of FIG. 13C, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 13E is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices and a fiberhousing vessel, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 13F is a cross-sectional illustration of the therapeuticillumination assembly of FIG. 13E, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 14A is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional illustration of the therapeuticillumination assembly of FIG. 14A, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 14C is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices and a fiberhousing vessel, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional illustration of the therapeuticillumination assembly of FIG. 13C, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 14E is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices and a fiberhousing vessel, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 14F is a cross-sectional illustration of the therapeuticillumination assembly of FIG. 14E, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 15A is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices and a fiberhousing vessel, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein; and

FIG. 15B is a schematic illustration of another therapeutic illuminationassembly including one or more light emitting devices and a fiberhousing vessel, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a therapeutic illuminationassembly 100. The therapeutic illumination assembly 100 comprises acatheter 110 and a point source treatment fiber 140. The catheter 110comprises a catheter wall 112 encircling a luminal fluid pathway 120.The catheter wall 112 comprises a fluid facing surface 114 that confinesthe luminal fluid pathway 120 and an outer facing surface 116 oppositethe fluid facing surface 114. The luminal fluid pathway 120 isconfigured to provide a pathway for fluid flowing through the catheter110, for example, treatment fluids, biological fluids, or the like.Further, the catheter 110 may comprise any catheter, for example, apercutaneous catheter, an indwelling catheter, a peripherally insertedcentral catheter, a permanent catheter (permacath), or the like.

The point source treatment fiber 140 is positioned within the luminalfluid pathway 120 of the catheter 110. At least a portion of the pointsource treatment fiber 140 may contact the fluid facing surface 114, forexample, coupled to the fluid facing surface 114 of the catheter wall112. Further, at least a portion of the point source treatment fiber 140may be positioned within the luminal fluid pathway 120 withoutcontacting the fluid facing surface 114 of the catheter wall 112. Thepoint source treatment fiber 140 comprises a plurality of light emittingpoint sources 150 intermittently positioned along a treatment length 142of the point source treatment fiber 140 such that the plurality of lightemitting point sources 150 irradiate the catheter 110 when the pluralityof light emitting point sources 150 emit light. The treatment length 142comprises the length of the point source treatment fiber 140 along whichthe plurality of light emitting point sources 150 are positioned, forexample, a total length of the point source treatment fiber 140 or apartial length of the point source treatment fiber 140.

The plurality of light emitting point sources 150 may comprise aplurality of diodes positioned along the treatment length 142 of thepoint source treatment fiber 140, for example, one or more laser diodes,one or more light emitting diodes (LED), or a combination thereof. Thepoint source treatment fiber 140 may comprise a guide wire and theplurality of diodes may be intermittently positioned along the guidewire, for example, intermittently coupled to the guide wire. Further,the plurality of light emitting point sources 150 may comprise an end ofa transmissive optical fiber, a filament, a gaseous based illuminationdevice, such as an incandescent bulb, an arc lamp, or the like. Further,the one or more light emitting point sources 150 may emit lightcomprising a wavelength of between about 200 nm and about 2000 nm forexample, 350 nm, 405 nm, 500 nm, 650 nm, 860 nm, 870 nm, 880 nm, or thelike. The one or more light emitting point sources 150 may be configuredto both generate and output light. Alternatively, the one or more lightemitting point sources 150 may be optically coupled to a therapeuticlight source 160 configured to generate light such that the one or morelight emitting point sources 150 may output light when the therapeuticlight source 160 generates light.

The point source treatment fiber 140 may comprise a therapeutic opticalfiber optically coupled to the therapeutic light source 160 and theplurality of light emitting point sources 150 may comprise one or morefiber defect regions intermittently positioned along the treatmentlength 142 of the therapeutic optical fiber, one or more fiber gratingsintermittently positioned along the treatment length 142 of thetherapeutic optical fiber, or combinations thereof. Further, thetherapeutic optical fiber may comprise a light diffusing optical fiberintermittently coated with an opaque coating such that uncoated portionsof the light diffusing optical fiber comprise the plurality of lightemitting point sources 150.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the plurality of light emitting pointsources 150 may be equally spaced along the treatment length 142 of thepoint source treatment fiber 140. Further, the plurality of lightemitting point sources 150 may be spaced such that when the plurality oflight emitting point sources 150 emit light, locations along thecatheter wall 112 aligned with a midpoint M between each individuallight emitting point source 150 receive an amount of irradiation betweenabout 50% and about 95% of the amount of irradiation received bylocations along the catheter wall 112 aligned with each individual lightemitting point sources 150 of the plurality of light emitting pointsources 150, for example, about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,or the like. Further, the plurality of light emitting point sources 150may comprise any spacing relationship along the treatment length 142 ofthe point source treatment fiber 140.

As depicted in FIG. 1 , the point source treatment fiber 140 may becoupled to a motion actuator 170 at an actuator coupling location 172 ofthe point source treatment fiber 140. In operation, the motion actuator170 may translate the point source treatment fiber 140 within theluminal fluid pathway 120 of the catheter 110, for example, linearly,radially, circumferentially, or the like. The motion actuator 170 maycomprise any actuating device, for example, an electric actuator (e.g.,an electric motor), a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, apneumatic actuator, or the like. Moreover, the plurality of lightemitting point sources 150 may operate as a boundary condition bystopping bacteria from traversing down the catheter 110, for example, byremoving the bacteria.

Referring still to FIG. 1 , a method of irradiating the catheter 110 iscontemplated. The method may comprise inserting an internal length 124of the catheter 110 into a patient at an insertion location of thepatient. The catheter 110 may further comprise an external length 122fluidly coupled to the internal length 124 at an insertion region 126 ofthe catheter 110. When the internal length 124 of the catheter 110 isinserted into the patient, the internal length 124 is positioned in thepatient, the insertion region 126 is substantially co-located with theinsertion location of the patient, and the external length 122 ispositioned outside the patient.

Next, the method may comprise inserting the point source treatment fiber140 comprising the plurality of light emitting point sources 150intermittently positioned along the treatment length 142 of the pointsource treatment fiber 140 into the luminal fluid pathway 120 of thecatheter 110. The point source treatment fiber 140 may comprise any ofthe point source treatment fibers 140 described above. The point sourcetreatment fiber 140 may extend within the luminal fluid pathway 120 ofthe catheter 110 along at least a portion of the external length 122 ofthe catheter 110 and/or at least a portion of the internal length 124 ofthe catheter 110. Further, the point source treatment fiber 140 mayextend within the luminal fluid pathway 120 along at least a portionboth the internal length 124 and the external length 122 such that atleast a portion of the point source treatment fiber 140 is positioned atthe insertion region 126 of the catheter 110. Moreover, at least aportion of the point source treatment fiber 140 may be coupled to thefluid facing surface 114 of the catheter wall 112, for example, at theinsertion region 126 of the catheter 110. Next, the method comprisesirradiating the catheter 110 using the plurality of light emitting pointsources 150. By irradiating the catheter 110, the light emitting pointsources 150 may irradiate the tissue surrounding the internal length 124of the catheter 110 and irradiate fluid traversing the luminal fluidpathway 120, and/or a percutaneous lesion near the catheter 110, forexample, to disinfect the catheter 110, fluid traversing the catheter110, and/or tissue surrounding the catheter 110.

The method may further comprise actuating the motion actuator 170 tolinearly, radially, and/or circumferentially translate the point sourcetreatment fiber 140. For example, the motion actuator 170 may linearlyreciprocate the point source treatment fiber 140 along a stroke lengthLs of the point source treatment fiber 140. For example, the strokelength Ls may be equal to one-half a spacing distance Ds betweenadjacent light emitting point sources 150. Alternatively oradditionally, the method may further comprise actuating the motionactuator 170 to radially reciprocate the point source treatment fiber140 with respect to the catheter wall 112 of the catheter 110, forexample, radially reciprocate the point source treatment fiber 140between a cross-sectional center point of the catheter 110 and one ormore locations along the catheter wall 112 or between the crosssectional center point and the catheter wall 112. Alternatively oradditionally, the method may further comprise actuating the motionactuator 170 to translate the point source treatment fiber 140circumferentially along to the catheter wall 112 of the catheter 110.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , the therapeutic illumination assembly 100 isdepicted comprising the catheter 110 and one or more light emittingpoint sources 150. The one or more light emitting point sources 150 maybe intermittently positioned on the outer facing surface 116, forexample, coupled to the outer facing surface 116 of the catheter wall112. The one or more light emitting point sources 150 may comprise aplurality of diodes coupled to the outer facing surface 116 of thecatheter wall 112, for example, one or more laser diodes, one or morelight emitting diodes (LED), or a combination thereof. The one or morelight emitting point sources 150 may be intermittently positioned alonga treatment length 142 of a point source treatment fiber 140, which maycomprise a guide wire, a therapeutic optical fiber optically coupled toa therapeutic light source 160, or the like. Further, the point sourcetreatment fiber 140 may be optically coupled to the therapeutic lightsource 160 using a transmission fiber 162. Moreover, the one or morelight emitting point sources 150 may comprise any of the light emittingpoint sources 150 described above.

As depicted in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the treatment length 142of the point source treatment fiber 140 may be coupled to the outerfacing surface 116 of the catheter 110 at the insertion region 126 ofthe catheter 110 and least a portion of the treatment length 142 ofpoint source treatment fiber 140 may encircle the catheter wall 112 ofthe catheter 110 at the insertion region 126 of the catheter 110.Further, when the internal length 124 of the catheter 110 is positionedwithin the patient, the one or more light emitting point sources 150 maybe positioned on the outer facing surface 116 of the catheter wall 112at the insertion region 126 of the catheter 110 such that the pluralityof light emitting point sources 150 irradiate the insertion region 126of the catheter 110 when the plurality of light emitting point sources150 emit light. Further, the plurality of light emitting point sources150 intermittently positioned on the outer facing surface 116 may beused to irradiate a percutaneous lesion near the catheter 110.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , the therapeutic illumination assembly 100 isdepicted comprising the catheter 110 and one or more light emittingpoint sources 150 positioned at a location spaced apart from thecatheter 110, external to the catheter 110, for example, positioned at alocation spaced apart from the outer facing surface 116 of the catheterwall 112. In operation, the one or more light emitting point sources 150may be positioned and oriented such that when the one or more lightemitting point sources 150 emit light, the emitted light may illuminatethe insertion region 126 of the catheter 110 when the internal length124 of the catheter 110 is positioned within the patient. The one ormore light emitting point sources 150 may comprise any of the lightemitting point sources 150 described above. Further, the one or morelight emitting point sources 150 may comprise an end of a transmissionoptical fiber.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5 , the therapeutic illumination assembly 100may comprise a therapeutic illumination patch 180 and one or more lightemitting point sources 150. The therapeutic illumination patch 180 maycomprise a wound facing surface 182 and one or more outer facingsurfaces 184 and may comprise an optically transmissive material.Further, the one or more light emitting point sources 150 are eachoptically coupled to the therapeutic illumination patch 180 such thatthe plurality of light emitting point sources 150 irradiate thetherapeutic illumination patch 180 when the plurality of light emittingpoint sources 150 output light. For example, the plurality of lightemitting point sources 150 may be affixed to one or more of the outerfacing surfaces 184 of the therapeutic illumination patch 180. Moreover,the therapeutic illumination patch 180 may comprise an adhesive materialdisposed on the wound facing surface 182. The adhesive material maycomprises a pressure sensitive adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, or acombination thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 4 , the optically transmissive material of thetherapeutic illumination patch 180 may be optically diffusive such thatwhen the plurality of light emitting point sources 150 irradiate thetherapeutic illumination patch 180, at least a portion of light emittedfrom the plurality of light emitting point sources 150 traverses fromthe optically transmissive material of the therapeutic illuminationpatch 180 through the wound facing surface 182 of the therapeuticillumination patch 180. Further, when the wound facing surface 182 ofthe therapeutic illumination patch 180 is positioned adjacent to apatient, for example, coupled to the patient, light that traversesthrough the wound facing surface 182 may irradiate tissue and/or skin ofthe patient, for example, a wound of the patient.

As depicted in FIG. 5 , the therapeutic illumination patch 180 maycomprise a waveguide structurally and compositionally configured suchthat at least a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of lightemitting point sources 150 is subject to internal reflection at thewound facing surface 182 of the therapeutic illumination patch 180 andis subject to at least partial refraction at an optical interface formedby a patient surface and at least a portion of the wound facing surface182 of the therapeutic illumination patch 180. In operation, when thewound facing surface 182 of the therapeutic illumination patch 180 is incontact with a patient, for example, positioned on tissue and/or skin ofthe patient, such as a wound of the patient, light traversing thetherapeutic illumination patch may subject to at least partialrefraction at the optical interface formed by contact with the patientsuch that at least a portion of light traversing the therapeuticillumination patch 180 irradiates the tissue and/or the skin of thepatient, for example, a wound of the patient.

As depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C and 7A-7B, example therapeutic assemblies 200may comprise one or more light emitting devices 250 optically and/orphysically coupled to one or more surgical devices 210. As depicted inFIG. 6A, the one or more light emitting devices 250 comprise one or morelight diffusing optical fibers coupled to a surgical device 210, forexample, a surgical retractor. As depicted in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the oneor more light emitting devices 250 may comprise one or more lightemitting point sources, for example, any of the light emitting pointsources 150 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 , and the surgicaldevice 210 may comprise a surgical retractor. For example, FIG. 6Bdepicts a plurality of light emitting point sources positioned along alength of the surgical retractor, for example, along a blade of thesurgical retractor. Further, FIG. 6C depicts a single light emittingpoint source positioned at a blade end of the surgical device such thatthe single light emitting point source is oriented to emit light indirection away from the blade end. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the one ormore light emitting devices 250 may be coupled to a surgical device 210comprising a trocar. As depicted in FIG. 7B, the one or more lightemitting devices 250 may be coupled to a surgical device 210 comprisinga cannula. As depicted in both FIGS. 7A and 7B, the one or more lightemitting devices 250 may wrap around, extend through, or otherwiseattach to the trocar and the cannula. Further, the one or more lightemitting devices 250 of FIGS. 7A and 7B may comprise one or more lightdiffusing optical fibers and/or one or more light emitting pointsources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources 150described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 .

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the one or more light emitting devices250 comprising light diffusing optical fiber and/or one or more lightemitting point sources may be positioned within one or more surgicalcavities of a patient, for example, positioned between a liver and astomach, as depicted in FIG. 8A, positioned within the thoracic andabdominal cavities, as depicted in FIG. 8B, or positioned within anysurgical cavity. In operation, the one or more light emitting devices250 may emit light into the surgical cavity and irradiate tissuesurrounding the surgical cavity, fluid located within the surgicalcavity, and/or one or more surgical tools positioned within the surgicalcavity, for example, at wavelengths that may disinfect each of the same,for example, wavelengths between 200 nm and 2000 nm, for example 405 nm.Referring now to FIG. 9 , the one or more light emitting devices 250 maybe positioned apart from a patient and a surgical cavity of a patient,for example, coupled to a movable surgical lamp such that the one ormore light emitting devices 250 may emit light to irradiate anddisinfect the surgical cavity and areas of the patients surrounding thesurgical cavity.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, example therapeutic illuminationassemblies 300 are depicted that comprise one or more light emittingdevices 350 optically and/or physically coupled to a tissue housingdevice 310 such that the one or more light emitting devices 350 mayirradiate liquid and/or soft tissues housed within the tissue housingdevice 310. For example, the one or more light emitting devices 350 maybe coupled to one or more interior surfaces of the tissue housing device310 and/or one or more exterior surfaces of the tissue housing device310, for example, when the tissue housing device 310 comprises anoptically transmissive material. As depicted in FIG. 10C, the tissuehousing device 310 may comprise a tissue transplant housing device forhousing one or more organs, tissues, or the like, for transport betweenlocations. Further, the one or more light emitting devices 350 may becoupled to an interior surface of the tissue transplant housing deviceto irradiate the one or more organs, tissues, or the like, housed withinthe tissue transplant housing device.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , an example therapeutic illumination assembly300 is depicted comprising one or more light emitting devices 350optically and/or physically coupled to a tissue disinfecting device 320such that the one or more light emitting devices 350 may irradiateliquid, gases, and/or soft tissues traversing the tissue disinfectingdevice 320. In operation, soft tissues, biological fluids, treatmentfluids, gases, or the like, may traverse the tissue disinfecting device320 to disinfect these tissues and/or fluids. Further, the one or morelight emitting devices 350 of FIGS. 10A-10C and 11 may comprise one ormore light diffusing optical fibers and/or one or more light emittingpoint sources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources 150described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 .

Referring now to FIG. 12 , the one or more light emitting devices 350may be positioned within one or more cavities or lumens within an organor tissue, for example, a heart or other organ. Further, the one or morelight emitting devices 350 may be positioned around and/or on an organor tissue, for example, wrapped around the organ or tissue. For example,the one or more light emitting devices 350 may be positioned within theluminal organ or tissue before and/or during transport of the luminalorgan or tissue, for example, before a transplant procedure such thatthe one or more light emitting devices 350 may emit light to irradiatethe cavities of the luminal organ or tissue, for example, to disinfectthe luminal organ or tissue. Further, the one or more light emittingdevices 350 may be positioned within an organ or tissue as depicted inFIG. 12 while the organ or tissue traverses the tissue disinfectingdevice 320 of FIG. 11 .

Referring now to FIGS. 13A-15B, a method of irradiating, in situ,biological fluids flowing through luminal regions (e.g., blood vessels)using a therapeutic illumination assembly 400 is contemplated. Thetherapeutic illumination assembly 400 may comprise a fiber housingvessel 410 and one or more light emitting devices 450, which may each bepositioned within luminal regions of a patient. The fiber housing vessel410 comprises one or more housing vessel fluid pathways 420 and the oneor more light emitting devices 450 may be positioned within the one ormore housing vessel fluid pathways 420. Further, the housing vesselfluid pathways 420 may be cross-sectionally spaced such that the one ormore light emitting devices 450 positioned within the housing vesselfluid pathways 420 are cross-sectionally spaced apart.

The one or more light emitting devices 450 may comprise one or morelight diffusing optical fibers and/or one or more light emitting pointsources, for example, any of the light emitting point sources 150described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 , such as an optical fibercomprising glass, polymer, or other transparent material, a lightemitting diode, a light emitting metallic element, or the like. When theone or more light emitting devices 450 comprise fibers such as lightdiffusing optical fibers, point source treatment fibers, therapeuticoptical fibers, or the like, the fibers may extend within the housingvessel fluid pathways 420. Further, optical fibers, for example, lightdiffusing optical fibers, may be thin, flexible, and durable and thusare advantageous for insertion into a living and moving organism, forexample, into the aorta of the inferior vena cava, and/or into aninsertion region of a leg, neck, arm, or the like. Further, the one ormore light emitting devices 450 may be optically coupled to at least onetherapeutic light source configured to emit light.

In operation, biological fluid flowing through the one or more luminalregions of the patient may be irradiated using light output by the oneor more light emitting devices 450, disinfecting the biological fluidwithout the bacteria becoming resistant to the irradiation treatment.Further, once light irradiates the biological fluid, the light may beabsorbed and/or scattered by the biological fluid. In operation, thelight emitting devices 450 may emit light at a wavelength between about200 nm and about 2000 nm, for example, about 405 nm, to irradiate thebiological fluid and irradiate any microorganisms present in thebiological fluid. Any biological fluids are contemplated, for example,blood or whole blood, which may comprise of a variety of chemicals,biological markers, human cells, or the like. Further, the method ofirradiating biological fluids flowing through one or more luminalregions may be may be used to treat sepsis in the patient.

As stated above, the one or more light emitting devices 450 may compriselight diffusing optical fibers, for example Corning™ Fibrance™ lightdiffusing optical fibers. In operation, light diffusing optical fibermay be advantageous because light diffusing optical fiber is configuredto emit continual illumination, allowing the light diffusing opticalfiber to continually disinfect of blood flowing through the luminalregions of the patient. Further, one or more light diffusing opticalfibers, for example Corning™ Fibrance™ light diffusing optical fiber maycomprise glass and may emit light at a high transmission rate.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the one or more luminal regions ofthe patient may comprise a variety of sizes and shapes and may comprisedifferent tissue properties and capacities (e.g., biological fluidvolume capacities). Luminal region composition and placement may beconsidered when designing the components of the therapeutic illuminationassembly 400. In operation, the luminal regions of the patient mayconfine the biological fluid to a passage narrow enough such that theone or more light emitting devices 450 may be positioned within theluminal regions and may irradiate the biological fluid as it traversesthe light emitting devices 450 without use of the fiber housing vessel410.

Referring now to FIGS. 13C-13F, the fiber housing vessel 410 may bepositioned within the luminal region of the patient to confine thebiological fluid into a smaller channel, such that the light diffusingoptical fiber or other emitting device 450 may effectively irradiate thebiological fluid. FIGS. 13C-13D depict the fiber housing vessel 410comprising a dual balloon system which confines the flowpath ofbiological fluid into a tube. FIGS. 13E-13F depict the fiber housingvessel 410 comprising a single balloon system in which the balloonblocks a portion (e.g., a majority) of the luminal region to confine theflow of biological fluid. Further, the fiber housing vessel 410 depictedin FIGS. 13C-13F may not need to be cross-sectionally centered withinthe luminal region. In operation, confining the biological fluid mayensure that enough light irradiates to the blood before the light isabsorbed or scattered. Further, the fiber housing vessel 410 maycomprise a stent, graft, or other expandable device to selectively andmechanically constrict the flow of biological fluid. Moreover, the fiberhousing vessel 410 may be inserted into the patient and operatedexternal to the patient, for example, an actuator located external tothe patient may control the expansion of the fiber housing vessel 410,such that the fiber housing vessel 410 may fit tightly within theluminal region of the patient.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A-14F, 15A, and 15B, the fiber housing vessel410 may comprise multiple housing vessel fluid pathways 420 that providediscrete housing locations for multiple light diffusing optical fibersor other light emitting devices 450 and that each provide a fluidchannel to facilitate biological fluid flow. As depicted in FIGS. 14Aand 14B, by spacing multiple light emitting devices 450 within a luminalregion, the light emitting devices 450 may irradiate some or all theluminal region of the patient. As depicted in FIGS. 14C and 14D, thefiber housing vessel 410 may comprises a plurality of transparent tubeswhich may be held in a cross sectionally spaced arrangement by amounting device, which may be positioned external or internal theluminal region of the patient and may be external to the patient. Asdepicted in FIGS. 14E and 14F, the fiber housing vessel 410 may comprisea plurality of balloons to provide multiple channels. For example, adual balloon system may be used to place a number of tubes within theluminal regions of the patient such that biological fluid may flow bythe light emitting devices 450 which may irradiate the biological fluid.

As depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the fiber housing vessel 410 maycomprise multiple housing vessel fluid pathways 420 that allow blood tofreely flow through luminal regions of the patient. The fiber housingvessel 410 may comprise variety of sizes to account for the differentsized luminal regions of the patient. Further, the fiber housing vessel410 may comprise a stent (e.g., a transparent stent), a wire, a graft, aballoon, or other medical device comprising a polymer, ceramic, glass,metal, or other material and may be configured such that the fiberhousing vessel 410 may separate one or more light emitting devices 450equally or unequally within the housing vessel fluid pathways 420.Further, the fiber housing vessel 410 may be inserted into the patientand operated external to the patient, for example, an actuator locatedexternal to the patient may control the expansion of the fiber housingvessel 410, such that the fiber housing vessel 410 may fit tightlywithin the luminal region of the patient.

It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the presentdisclosure being “configured” in a particular way, to embody aparticular property, or to function in a particular manner, arestructural recitations, as opposed to recitations of intended use. Morespecifically, the references herein to the manner in which a componentis “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the componentand, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structuralcharacteristics of the component.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it isnoted that the term “about” is utilized herein to represent the inherentdegree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitativecomparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term“about” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which aquantitative representation may vary from a stated reference withoutresulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter atissue.

Having described the subject matter of the present disclosure in detailand by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is noted that thevarious details disclosed herein should not be taken to imply that thesedetails relate to elements that are essential components of the variousembodiments described herein, even in cases where a particular elementis illustrated in each of the drawings that accompany the presentdescription. Further, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure, including, but not limited to, embodiments defined in theappended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the presentdisclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularlyadvantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is notnecessarily limited to these aspects.

It is noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term“wherein” as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining thepresent invention, it is noted that this term is introduced in theclaims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce arecitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should beinterpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preambleterm “comprising.”

The invention claimed is:
 1. A therapeutic illumination assembly,comprising: a catheter comprising a catheter wall encircling a luminalfluid pathway, the catheter wall having an internal length configuredfor insertion into a patient at an insertion region and an externallength fluidly coupled to internal length at the insertion region; and,a therapeutic illumination patch comprising a wound facing surface, oneor more outer facing surfaces, and a plurality of light emitting pointsources positioned on at least two outer facing surfaces of theplurality of outer facing surfaces to irradiate the insertion region andthe therapeutic illumination patch when the plurality of light emittingpoint sources output light, the therapeutic illumination patch operableto have the internal length of the catheter pass through the woundfacing surface and the outer facing surface at the insertion region,wherein the therapeutic illumination patch comprises a waveguidestructurally and compositionally configured such that at least a portionof light emitted from the plurality of light emitting point sources intothe waveguide is subject to internal reflection within the waveguide andrefraction at the wound facing surface when being emitted from thewaveguide.
 2. The therapeutic illumination assembly of claim 1, whereinat least one light emitting point source of the plurality of lightemitting point sources is positioned on an outer facing surface of thecatheter wall proximal to the insertion region.
 3. The therapeuticillumination assembly of claim 2, wherein light emitting point sourcesof the plurality of light emitting point sources encircle the catheterwall at the insertion region.
 4. The therapeutic illumination assemblyof claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting point sources arespaced apart from an outer facing surface of the catheter wall.
 5. Thetherapeutic illumination assembly of claim 1, wherein the therapeuticillumination patch comprises an optically diffusive material.
 6. Thetherapeutic illumination assembly of claim 1, wherein the wound facingsurface is configured to be positioned adjacent to the patient over theinsertion region.
 7. The therapeutic illumination assembly of claim 1,wherein the plurality of light emitting point sources comprise aplurality of diodes.
 8. The therapeutic illumination assembly of claim7, wherein the plurality of diodes comprise one or more laser diodes,one or more light emitting diodes (LED), or a combination thereof. 9.The therapeutic illumination assembly of claim 1, further comprising apoint source treatment fiber positioned within the luminal fluid pathwayof the catheter, the point source treatment fiber comprises a furtherplurality of light emitting point sources intermittently positionedalong a treatment length of the point source treatment fiber such thatthe further plurality of light emitting point sources irradiate thecatheter when the further plurality of light emitting point sources emitlight.
 10. The therapeutic illumination assembly of claim 9, wherein thepoint source treatment fiber comprises a therapeutic optical fiberoptically coupled to a therapeutic light source.
 11. The therapeuticillumination assembly of claim 10, wherein the therapeutic optical fibercomprises a light diffusing optical fiber intermittently coated with anopaque coating such that uncoated portions of the light diffusingoptical fiber comprise light emitting point sources of the plurality oflight emitting point sources.
 12. The therapeutic illumination assemblyof claim 9, wherein the further plurality of light emitting pointsources are equally spaced along the treatment length of the pointsource treatment fiber.
 13. A method, comprising: inserting an internallength of a catheter into a patient through a wound facing surface andan outer facing surface of a plurality of outer facing surfaces of atherapeutic illumination patch, wherein the catheter comprises acatheter wall encircling a luminal fluid pathway, the catheter wallhaving an external length fluidly coupled to the internal length at aninsertion region of the catheter, wherein the wound facing surface isconfigured to be positioned on the patient over the insertion region;and, irradiating the insertion region of the catheter using a pluralityof light emitting point sources connected to at least two of theplurality of outer facing surfaces, wherein the therapeutic illuminationpatch comprises a waveguide structurally and compositionally configuredsuch that at least a portion of light emitted from the plurality oflight emitting point sources into the waveguide is subject to internalreflection within the waveguide and refraction at the wound facingsurface when being emitted from the waveguide.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the plurality of light emitting point sources are spacedapart from an outer facing surface of the catheter wall and wherein thestep of irradiating the insertion region comprises emitting light fromthe plurality of light emitting point sources toward the insertionregion.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein light emitting point sourcesof the plurality of light emitting point sources are positioned on anouter facing surface of the catheter wall proximal to the insertionregion and wherein the method further comprises irradiating apercutaneous lesion proximal to the catheter.
 16. The method of claim13, further comprising inserting a point source treatment fibercomprising a further plurality of light emitting point sourcesintermittently positioned along a treatment length of the point sourcetreatment fiber into the luminal fluid pathway of the catheter; whereinthe method further comprises irradiating the catheter using the furtherplurality of light emitting point sources.
 17. A therapeuticillumination assembly, comprising: a therapeutic illumination patch,including: a wound facing surface facing a first direction; a pluralityof outer surfaces, including at least: a first outer surface facing asecond direction, opposite the first direction; and, a second outersurface connecting the first outer surface and the wound facing surface;and, a through-hole; a catheter engaged with the through-hole, thecatheter including: a catheter wall encircling a liminal fluid pathway;an internal length protruding from the wound facing surface; and, anexternal length protruding from the first outer surface; and, aplurality of light sources arranged on at least two outer surfaces ofthe plurality of outer surfaces; wherein: the therapeutic illuminationpatch comprises a waveguide; the plurality of light sources are arrangedto transmit light into the waveguide; and, the light is subject tointernal reflection within the waveguide and refraction at the woundfacing surface when being emitted from the waveguide.
 18. Thetherapeutic illumination assembly of claim 17, wherein a first lightsource of the plurality of light sources is arranged on the second outersurface.
 19. The therapeutic illumination assembly of claim 18, wherein:the therapeutic illumination patch further comprises a third outersurface connecting the first outer surface and the wound facing surface;and, a second light source of the plurality of light sources isconnected to the third outer surface.